Role of nuclear cardiology in diagnosis and risk stratification of coronary microvascular disease

Abstract

Coronary flow reserve (CFR) with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has an important role in the diagnosis of coronary microvascular disease (CMD), aids risk stratification and may be useful in monitoring therapy. CMD contributes to symptoms and a worse prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), nonischemic cardiomyopathies, and heart failure. CFR measurements may improve our understanding of the role of CMD in symptoms and prognosis in CAD and other cardiovascular diseases. The clinical presentation of CAD has changed. The prevalence of nonobstructive CAD has increased to about 50% of patients with angina undergoing angiography. Ischemia with nonobstructive arteries (INOCA) is recognized as an important cause of symptoms and has an adverse prognosis. Patients with INOCA may have ischemia due to CMD, epicardial vasospasm or diffuse nonobstructive CAD. Reduced CFR in patients with INOCA identifies a high-risk group that may benefit from management strategies specific for CMD. Although measurement of CFR by PET/CT has excellent accuracy and repeatability, use is limited by cost and availability. CFR measurement with single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) is feasible, validated, and would increase availability and use of CFR. Patients with CMD can be identified by reduced CFR and selected for specific therapies.